Taking Care of Monkey Business

Hindu Council Chairman Calls on Local Hotels and Restaurants to Help Feed Hungry Monkeys at Balinese Temples

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(11/16/2012)

The chairman of the Bali Hindu High Council (PHDI), Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, is urging tourism entrepreneurs with businesses located in close proximity to temples populated by monkeys to assume the responsibility of providing food for the primates.

Quoted by the National News Agency Antara, Sudiana said: “Lately, the monkeys at several temples in Bali have become aggressive towards visitors. The monkeys have caused damage to places of prayers because we suspect they have insufficient food.”

Among the most well know temples occupied by monkeys are Pura
Pura Uluwatu, Sangeh, Lempuyang, Alas Kedaton and Pulaki in Buleleng. In some instances, the monkeys have become so aggressive that religious rituals have been disrupted and tourists visiting these sites no longer feel safe.

By becoming a patron of groups of temple monkeys, explained Sudiana, the rsident caretaker of the temple (pangemong) can coordinate with hotels and restaurants close to the temple who can be given assigned schedules to provide food.

Sudiana added: “By being willing to become a patron or adoptive parent of the monkeys, an opportunity for Hindus to perform a religious sacrifice and demonstrate the love for other living beings is presented.”

“If the tourists who come to the temples are frightened because their personal items are taken by the monkeys, eventually tourism businesses and the people of Bali will suffer the consequences,” cautioned the PHDI chairman.